Lasagna

First, I'd like to start this post off by apologizing for the low quality of my pictures lately.  See...I accidently left my camera in our rental car when we were in Las Vegas.  Looking on the bright side though...I did manage to track it down & should be getting it back this week.  The people at the rental car company had to go through the pictures on the camera so I could "identify" it...which led to the weirdest conversation I've had all week.  And I work in an emergency room.  Enough said.

Second...this lasagna recipe is probably one of my top 5 favorite recipes...and I, in no way, can take any credit for it.  I got this recipe from my very good friend, Amy Kreps.  She was one of the first people I met in Denver, and this is the very first recipe I asked one of my "Colorado Friends" for.  While I sit here thinking about what to write for this post...I'm smiling because I tend to associate this recipe with some really happy times.  Like my first Valentine's day with my hubby...he made this recipe and was so overwhelmed (don't worry- it's easy...he's just a guy) that by the time I came over for dinner, he was drunk!  And I think of this past weekend...our friends Dzot & Kirsten were on their way to get married & got stranded in Denver.  So we hunkered down, played euchre, drank wine & ate lasagna.  I feel very strongly when I say...this recipe is an oldie, but a goodie. 

{Lasagna}
recipe compliments of Amy Kreps

9 lasagna noodles
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 pound monterary jack cheese; shredded
2 eggs; beaten
salt & pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic; minced
1 teaspoon basil
2 tablespoons parsley
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound sausage
2- 6oz cans tomato paste
1- 14.5 oz. petite diced tomato; undrained
1 package shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Boil 9 noodles.  Make cheese mixture.  Make meat mixture.

Cheese Mixture:  Mix together 1/2 cup parmesan, 1 pound mont. jack cheese, 2 beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon salt & pepper.

Meat Mixture:  Cook & drain beef & sausage.  Add garlic, 1 teaspoon basil, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1.5 teaspoon salt, 2-6oz cans tomato paste, 1 can petite diced tomato.

Layer: Add meat sauce to bottom of pan.

           3 noodles

           1/3 cheese mixture

           1/3 mozzarella cheese

Repeat x3.  End with meat sauce.  Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.  Cover with tin foil.

Bake at 350 degrees: 30 minutes covered, 20 minutes uncovered. 

Let set for 5 minutes before cutting & serving.